Abstract: AIN services include multiple SCP pairs, which can be expanded to meet increased demand. The expansion can occur without cessation in services by migrating records between SCP pairs while maintaining redundancy between the pairs. A centralized GTT maintains the GTTs distributed between multiple subsystems in the AIN system. Synchronization between mate SCPs within a pair occurs at high speed as the subscriber database is split into multiple files, each file having a separate synchronization process.

Abstract: An ISP 10 provides enhanced features compatible with non-AIN switches to allow service providers to provide customers with features such as voice prompting, DTMF number collection, fax on demand and similar features. In one embodiment, the ISP can also be configured as an IP. Enhanced features can be accomplished using the ISP, such as advanced routing of long distance calls based on ANI, authorization codes, type of call, time of day, origination of call and destination of call.

Abstract: A mask for transmitting gases to and from a patient or other user includes a valve which selectively blocks or enables the flow of gases through a port. In one embodiment, the state of the valve is automatically controlled in response to whether the mask is in contact with the patient. In another embodiment, the valve on the mask is manually controlled.

Abstract: An ISP 10 provides enhanced features compatible with non-AIN switches to allow service providers to provide customers with features such as voice prompting, DTMF number collection, fax on demand and similar features. In one embodiment, the ISP can also be configured as an IP. Enhanced features can be accomplished using the ISP, such as advanced routing of long distance calls based on ANI, authorization codes, type of call, time of day, origination of call and destination of call.

Abstract: A laser power control system (150; 150') having a first pulse stretch capability, as may be used in a rapid prototyping system (100), is disclosed. According to one disclosed embodiment, a one-shot multivibrator (156) generates a pulse responsive to a gate signal (LON/LOFF.sub.--) indicating that the laser (110) is to be turned on. The pulse, which is of a selected duration suitable for achieving population inversion, is applied to the laser (110); upon the end of this pulse, pulse-width-modulation (PWM) control of the laser begins. According to another disclosed embodiment, a first pulse stretch store (166) retains a digital value corresponding to the duration by which the first PWM pulse is to be lengthened; adders (176; 178) add this digital value to the parameters indicated by the desired laser power signal (DLP) to ensure population inversion and laser output of the laser (110) in the first pulse.

Abstract: A laser-sinterable powder product has been prepared having unique properties which allow the powder to be sintered in a selective laser sintering machine to form a sintered part which is near-fully dense. For most purposes, the sintered part is indistinguishable from another part having the same dimensions made by isotropically molding the powder. In addition to being freely flowable at a temperature near its softening temperature, a useful powder is disclosed that has a two-tier distribution in which substantially no primary particles have an average diameter greater than 180 .mu.m, provided further that the number average ratio of particles smaller than 53 .mu.m is greater than 80%, the remaining larger particles being in the size range from 53 .mu.m to 180 .mu.m. A powder with slow recrystallization rates, as evidenced by non-overlapping or slightly overlapping endothermic and exothermic peaks in their differential scanning calorimetry characteristics for scan rates of on the order of 10.degree. C. to 20.

Abstract: AIN services include multiple SCP pairs, which can be expanded to meet increased demand. The expansion can occur without cessation in services by migrating records between SCP pairs while maintaining redundancy between the pairs. A centralized GTT maintains the GTTs distributed between multiple subsystems in the AIN system. Synchronization between mate SCPs within a pair occurs at high speed as the subscriber database is split into multiple files, each file having a separate synchronization process.

Abstract: AIN services include multiple SCP pairs, which can be expanded to meet increased demand. The expansion can occur without cessation in services by migrating records between SCP pairs while maintaining redundancy between the pairs. A centralized GTT maintains the GTTs distributed between multiple subsystems in the AIN system. Synchronization between mate SCPs within a pair occurs at high speed as the subscriber database is split into multiple files, each file having a separate synchronization process.

Abstract: A selective laser sintering apparatus and method is disclosed, in which the laser power is controlled according to the scan velocity. The scanning system, which includes a pair of galvanometer-controlled mirrors for directing the aim of the laser beam, generates signals indicative of either the position or scan velocity of the aim of the beam, in either one or two directions. The signals are gated in the laser power control system so as to pass the signals only during those times at which the laser is to be turned on. A laser power control system receives the signals and, in the case of position signals, differentiates the signals to generate velocity signals. The velocity signals are used to derive a scan velocity, and the scan velocity is multiplied by the desired laser power at full scan velocity to produce a laser power control signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a speech recognition system. The method loads a speech model from a storage facility into a memory accessible by a processor. This loading step includes two steps. A first of these steps loads process-independent state data representative of a plurality of states of the speech model. A second of these steps loads process-specific state data representative of the plurality of states of the speech model. The speech recognition system then performs a first speech recognition process with the processor by accessing the process-independent state data and a first portion of the process-specific state data. The speech recognition system also performs a second speech recognition process with the processor, where the second process also accesses the process-independent state data but further accesses a second portion of the process-specific state data different than the first portion of the process-specific state data.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting seismic survey signals for separating and correcting for the effects of azimuthal anisotropy caused by the overburden, rather than the subsurface reflectivity, is disclosed. Following an initial estimate and normal moveout correction of the traces in a common midpoint gather, analytical traces are generated for coefficient series corresponding to zero-offset travel time response and to the azimuthal anisotropy, over the corrected gather. The quadrature-phase component of the azimuthal anisotropy coefficient series relative to the zero-offset travel time coefficient series indicates the effects of overburden azimuthal anisotropy, while the in-phase component indicates the effects of azimuthal anisotropy from subsurface reflective interfaces. Additional normal moveout correction to correct for the overburden azimuthal anisotropy may then be performed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, and system implementing the method, of performing impedance inversion of seismic survey data are disclosed. Sonic and density well logs are used to generate an elastic impedance model, at selected angles of incidence or offset range, using an expression for elastic impedance that depends upon the measured or estimated compressional velocity, shear velocity, and density of the subsurface layers in the survey region. The elastic impedance expression also includes a reference density value, and is dependent upon the ray parameter (or angle of incidence). This elastic impedance model is used, for example by way of a pseudo-density log, in estimating the input wavelet, and in carrying out an impedance inversion of the seismic survey over the entire survey region, for at least two angles of incidence.

Abstract: A computer system and method of operating the same to apply overburden corrections to seismic signals prior to amplitude-versus-offset (AVO) analysis is disclosed. The system and method retrieve common midpoint gathers of the seismic signals, and generate analytical, or complex, AVO intercept and AVO slope traces therefrom, effectively stacking the traces in each gather. Over a sliding time window of the stacks, the computer system generates p-measure standard deviation and correlation statistics, preferably using a p-measure value less than one. The AVO intercept and AVO slope traces are then modified, at each depth point of interest corresponding to a time window placement, according to the relationship between the p-measure statistics and the desired statistics for the background distribution.

Abstract: A delay cell for use in binary delay line which includes a delay circuit having N outputs where N.gtoreq.2, each delay circuit coupled to an input through N-1 serially connected unit cells. For each output there are P unit cells having a unit delay of t.sub.P0 and N-1-P unit cells having a unit delay of t.sub.p1. The N outputs are ordered such that each output other than the first is delayed with respect to an immediately preceding output by t.sub.p1 -t.sub.p0, and P goes in succession from N-1 to 0 in unit steps. Each value of P corresponds to only one of the N outputs.

Abstract: A method and computer system for correcting seismic signals in a seismic survey, sensed in horizontal and vertical directions at receiver locations, is disclosed. According to the disclosed method and system, the horizontal and vertical seismic signal traces are processed in prestack gathers, after normal move-out correction. For each reflection event indicated in the prestack gathers, a performance function is evaluated over a range of zero-offset directivity and directivity slope values, using the horizontal and vertical pressure wave components sensed at the receivers. The zero-offset directivity and directivity slope values that return the maximum performance function are stored in connection with the gather and the reflection event, as indicative of the zero-offset dip and offset-dependent directivity of the reflective surface corresponding to the reflected event.

Abstract: A laser-sinterable powder product has been prepared having unique properties which allow the powder to be sintered in a selective laser sintering machine to form a sintered part which is near-fully dense. For most purposes, the sintered part is indistinguishable from another part having the same dimensions made by isotropically molding the powder. In addition to being freely flowable at a temperature near its softening temperature, a useful powder is disclosed that has a two-tier distribution in which substantially no primary particles have an average diameter greater than 180 .mu.m, provided further that the number average ratio of particles smaller than 53 .mu.m is greater than 80%, the remaining larger particles being in the size range from 53 .mu.m to 180 .mu.m. A powder with slow recrystallization rates, as evidenced by non-overlapping endothermic and exothermic peaks in their differential scanning calorimetry characteristics for scan rates of on the order of 10.degree. C. to 20.degree. C.

Abstract: An automated method of processing a fault-enhanced 3-D seismic volume (V) to locate and interpret faults is disclosed. The method includes processing of individual lateral slices (LS.sub.j) of the volume (V). For each slice (LS.sub.j), stripe artifacts are eliminated (36) by adjusting pixel values to account for lines that are unduly bright or dim (and thus artifacts of processing). Linear features are enhanced by applying a modified Gumey-Vanderburg algorithm (62) to pixel windows, such that intensity values of pixels are enhanced according to the extent to which the pixels reside in a line. Detection of lines in the enhanced lateral slice is then performed by summing pixel intensities over a window at varying directions (72), and associating, with a center pixel, an amplitude value corresponding to the maximum sum and a direction value associated with this sum.

Abstract: A method and computer system for deriving and applying normal moveout corrections to seismic survey traces is disclosed. In each common midpoint (CMP) gather, a stacking velocity function of travel time is first determined for near-offset traces. For each reflective event, a time window about a depth point is selected. Time anisotropy and velocity anisotropy values are then determined for the depth point, for example by way of a semblance analysis applied to envelopes of the traces over the full offset range. Normal moveout corrections are then determined by a weighted sum expression of travel time (zero-offset time plus moveout correction) The weighted sum adds a first travel time expression corresponding to a Dix equation expression with a second travel time expression corresponding to a skewed hyperbolic expression that includes the time and velocity anisotropy values, with the weighting dependent upon the offset of the particular trace.

Abstract: A color changer for use with a wide angle light source which includes a frame, a plurality of planar dichroic filter strips mounted on the frame and aligned substantially parallel to each other. The filter strips have identical predetermined optical filtering characteristics with first and second sets of the filter strips movable along a common axis so as to vary the gap between them and at least alternate ones of the filter strips in each of the first and second sets set at an angle such that, when the color changer is positioned in a beam of light transmitted from the wide angle light source, a substantially constant angle of incidence is maintained with respect to light from the light source incident on the alternate ones of the dichroic filter strips.

Abstract: A manual resuscitator controls the portion of gas delivered from the ventilation bag to the patient responsive to which of a plurality of masks the ventilation bag is connected. Different sized masks deliver different portions of the gas from the ventilation bag as would be appropriate for a patient of a size associated with the mask. Emergency personnel, or others, need only couple the correct size mask to the ventilation bag, and the correct volume of gas is automatically delivered to the patient.